The Princess of Wales’s best Alexander McQueen looks: from her wedding gown to the BAFTAs red carpet
The Princess of Wales once again championed one of her go-to designers at the BAFTAs on Sunday night, opting to re-wear the same Alexander McQueen dress she donned at the event in 2019. She updated the Grecian-style white gown by adding a flowing overlay streaming from one shoulder, teaming the dress with black velvet opera gloves (the perfect counterpart to Prince William’s velvet jacket) for a dose of extra drama.
Whether it is a family wedding, christening, or Trooping the Colour, Kate has worn McQueen on some of the most important occasions of her royal career, trusting the British fashion house to deliver the perfect balance of feminine silhouettes and impeccable tailoring that means she always looks elevated without stealing the show.
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The perfect fit for everything from royal walkabouts to the red carpet, Kate has proven the British designer is simply perfect for day-to-night. The most memorable collaboration between Kate and McQueen, however, is undoubtedly the Victorian-inspired lace wedding gown designed by creative director Sarah Burton, worn as Catherine Middleton became the then Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day.
It gave birth to a working relationship that has lasted more than a decade, and surely has many more years to come. Here, a look back at Kate’s most memorable moments in McQueen…
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Attending the BAFTAs, February 2023
Wearing a white Alexander McQueen gown (formerly worn by the royal to the same event in 2019) re-worked with cascading shoulder details, as she dazzles on the red carpet for the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023.
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Visit to Leeds, January 2023
Wearing an emerald Alexander McQueen over a Victoria Beckham dress for an outing to promote the Shaping Us campaign.
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BAFTA headquarters, January 2023
Putting her best fashion foot forward in a scarlet Alexander McQueen suit for a pre-launch event for her early childhood project, Shaping Us.
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Windsor Castle reception, January 2023
The Princess of Wales looked perfectly polished in a McQueen blazer when she hosted a panel of early childhood experts at Windsor Castle.
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Arrival in Boston, December 2022
Flying the flag for British fashion, Kate stepped off the plane in a navy Alexander McQueen suit at the start of the three-day state visit.
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Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, June 2022
The Platinum Jubilee saw the eyes of the world turn on the Royal Family. The then Duchess of Cambridge kept her look classic in a white Alexander McQueen ensemble.
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The Earthshot Prize, October 2021
In keeping with the eco-conscious theme of the evening, Kate re-wore an Alexander McQueen gown she first wore in 2011 to join Prince William at the Earthshot Prize 2021.
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EE British Academy Film Award, February 2020
Golden girl Kate ‘recycled’ this gown from 2012 to walk the red carpet at BAFTA 2020, in keeping with the ‘sustainable fashion guide’.
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The Royal Variety Performance, November 2019
With her big, bouncy blow dry and figure-hugging lace frock, Kate went for all out glamour for the Royal Variety Performance.
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Trooping The Colour, June 2019
Kate brought a splash of sunshine to Trooping the Colour in this lemon yellow Alexander McQueen dress with peplum detailing.
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US state visit, June 2019
It was a white tie dress code for the US state visit in June 2019, and the then Duchess of Cambridge did not disappoint in this Alexander McQueen gown with capped sleeves and cascading ruffle skirt.
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Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s wedding, October 2018
A vibrant but classic berry dress with matching hat was the perfect choice for the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, ensuring she did not draw attention from the bride.
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State visit to Norway, February 2018
Arriving on the arm of King Harald V of Norway, Kate looked regal in this showstopping number constructed from layers of the softest pink fabric.
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Royal Ascot, June 2017
The then Duchess of Cambridge won major style points in this white lace dress for a day with the Royal Family at Ascot.
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EE British Academy Film Awards, February 2017
This off-the-shoulder black ballgown is yet another example of how Kate and McQueen are a match made in red carpet fashion heaven.
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State visit to Canada, September 2016
Nodding to the colours of the Canadian flag, Kate stepped out in a playful, ruffled frock on the royal tour in 2016.
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Anna Freud Family School Christmas Party, December 2015
The then Duchess of Cambridge kept things classic in a scarlet fit-and-flare Alexander McQueen dress for a charity engagement in London.
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Princess Charlotte’s christening, July 2015
Kate wore an Alexander McQueen ensemble she owns in several colours for the christening of her daughter, Princess Charlotte, in Sandringham.
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Singapore state visit, October 2014
Alexander McQueen proved grey doesn’t need to be boring by crafting this sophisticated ensemble for Kate to wear for the official welcome at the Singapore state visit.
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Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding day, April 2011
The dress that launched a thousand lookalikes, Kate’s wedding gown, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, featured Victorian-inspired corsetry, a lace bodice, and an 8ft train.
